Mounting device for a sanitary article

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting devices for sanitary articles suffer from dimensional variations in support cavities, leading to loose fits and interference, which complicates assembly and stability.

Innovation Solution

A mounting device with a bearing element clamped between support-side stop surfaces, featuring spring tabs to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, ensuring a secure and stable fit despite varying dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bearing components are designed with sufficient clearance to accommodate dimensional variations in support cavities, then assembly is simplified, but the fit results in interference and play

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmounting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing element incorporates a spring component that dynamically adjusts to dimensional variations in the support cavity. The spring allows the bearing element to be inserted with sufficient clearance for easy assembly, while simultaneously providing elastic force to eliminate play and achieve a secure, interference-free fit. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between assembly simplicity and mounting stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the bearing element by incorporating a spring mechanism that can compress and expand. This parameter change allows the bearing element to adapt its dimensions dynamically - maintaining larger clearance during insertion for easy assembly, then compressing to eliminate gaps and achieve a tight, stable fit without permanent interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If bearing elements are loosely fitted to accommodate tolerance variations, then assembly is easier, but the screw mounting becomes unstable with play

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidscrew mounting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-integrated bearing element transitions from a loose state during insertion to a compressed stable state during operation. This dynamic behavior allows easy assembly with tolerance variations while ensuring the screw mounting achieves stable, play-free fixation once installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism automatically compensates for dimensional variations without requiring precision manufacturing or complex adjustment procedures. The bearing element self-adjusts to the cavity dimensions, eliminating the need for precise pre-matching of components while ensuring stable screw mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If bearing elements are tightly fitted to eliminate play, then mounting stability improves, but assembly becomes difficult due to tolerance variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism enables the bearing element to temporarily expand for easy insertion into varying cavity dimensions, then automatically compress to eliminate play and achieve tight, stable mounting. This dynamic adaptation eliminates assembly difficulty while ensuring mounting stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If clearance is increased to accommodate dimensional variations, then assembly tolerance is improved, but the fit results in interference and looseness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly toleranceVSAvoidfit stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spring component changes the physical parameters of the bearing element, allowing it to maintain larger clearance during assembly for improved tolerance accommodation, then compress to eliminate gaps and achieve stable, interference-free fitting. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between assembly tolerance and fit stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a fixed and easy-to-handle mounting solution that compensates for dimensional tolerances, ensuring secure attachment of sanitary articles without play or interference.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one second bearing-element-side stop surface is arranged on at least one spring tab, wherein the at least one spring tab and the second bearing-element-side stop surface are arranged such that the bearing element is clamped between the two support-side stop surfaces without play

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4399371B1Mounting device for a sanitary article
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP4399371B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4399371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4399371B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mounting device (1) for fastening at least one sanitary article, comprises at least one support (2) having a support wall (3) that defines a cavity (4), a first opening (5) and a second opening (6), which openings (5, 6) are arranged in the support wall (3) and are opposite one another with respect to the cavity (5), wherein the support (2) provides a first support-side stop surface (8) at the first opening (5) and a second support-side stop surface (9) at the second opening (6), at least one screw (10) with a threaded portion (11) and a screw head (12), and at least one bearing element (13) with a side wall (14) that extends around a central axis (M) and bounds a receiving space (15) for bearing the screw (10), wherein the bearing element (13) has at least one first stop surface (16) on the bearing element side that is in contact with the first stop surface (8) on the support side in the mounted state, and wherein the bearing element (13) has at least one second stop surface (17) on the bearing element side, which is in contact with the second stop surface (9) on the support side in the mounted state. According to the invention, the at least one second bearing element-side stop surface (17) is arranged on at least one spring lug (18), wherein the at least one spring lug (18) and the second bearing element-side stop surface (17) are arranged in such a way that the bearing element (13) is clamped without play between the two support-side stop surfaces (8, 9).